Tag Archive: spring dresses

Spring is here, and so are the new American Girl spring dresses! My first thought when the latest American Girl Beforever fashions and Limited Edition sets debuted was they’re pretty, but they’re really expensive. However, I knew I would sometime need to have that pink travel coat and hat for my Beforever Samantha doll, Maribel Pollyanna. It was just so her. And though I wasn’t sure about Samantha’s Special Day dress at first, when I saw a close-up review I was hooked (it’s the shoes, folks). And then my new-used eBay Marisol doll, Romola, has been whispering to me for the past three months that she’s really the dressy type (and I have mostly jeans and tee-shirts). And then there were Kit’s overalls–overalls!!! Soooo… when I got wind of American Girl’s spring sale and free-ship deal last month, it was pretty clear to me that now was the time. And the great thing is that with the sale and free shipping the cost of each set was much closer to what I consider “reasonable” for an American Girl doll outfit. I even got Kit’s Chicken Keeping Set, which was on backorder and hasn’t arrived yet. (I just got news this week that it’s on its way too. Yay!).

As soon as I saw that review of Samantha’s Special Day dress I knew I was getting it for my adorable eBay love, Umeko Patience. And I was not deceived. It looks incredible on her.

My pictures don’t do either it or her justice, however.

The soft, cool minty aqua green with the pink flower sprig print is just right for her winter/early-spring complexion.

Tell me that’s not a pretty doll.

The femininity of the delicate lace, bell sleeves, and pin-tucking is just right for her mixture of sweetness and piquancy.

It’s hard to get those pin-tucks to lay just right though, especially if you pull the front up into a slight blouson look.

The pink ribbon sash and hair decoration are crisp and showy enough to satisfy the romantic in me.

Gorgeously pretty details.

There’s even a big pink bow that ties in back:

And both Patience and I adore the shoes. They’re not just shiny faux-patent mary janes. They’re not even just red or pink faux-patent mary janes. They’re dusty rose faux-patent mary janes with bow details, and they will look amazing with many dresses, and we’re in love.

A+ American Girl!

I don’t know if you can tell, but I am in love with this outfit. In fact, this may be my favorite doll dress to date, ever. Some dresses look just okay in stock photos but come to life in person, and this is one of them.

Showing off.

Romola Mariana is just as thrilled with her new spring dress, the Shimmer & Lace Party Dress. One great thing about having a variety of dolls is they don’t all have to be just like me. I don’t usually perk up about cute modern lacy party dresses, but Romola sure did, and now I’m glad!

Model-in-training.

This is the kind of dress that will look pretty on almost every doll. First of all, peach is a sort of universally flattering color. Then it’s just so frothy and feminine.

This dress features a stretchy mesh yoke around the neck and shoulder area, while the bodice is lined with peach colored knit. The skirt has an asymmetrical waistline, which I’m not usually crazy about but for some reason am finding very tasteful here.

The skirt is two layers; the top is embroidered lacy mesh overlay, and the underneath is the stretchy peach knit fabric hemmed with a mesh ruffle.

I actually love the pretty little flower decoration on the waistline. And I’ll admit it, I like the large sequins sewn into the lace overlay fabric, as well. When I saw the stock photos I wasn’t sure I’d like the lace wholeheartedly… it seemed like it might be a bit busy. But I do like it; it’s very frilly, but for me, it stays just on this side of tasteful.

Need I say more?

The sandals are another case of American Girl shoe perfection. These may well be my favorite pair of sandals ever, too.

This outfit also includes a very small rhinestone barrette for Romola’s luxuriant hair. It’s too small to do much practical good, but it’s very pretty, if you like that sort of thing (Romola does).

Just because she can.

All in all, Romola feels like a princess in this dress and looks like a bowl of whipped cream, which makes both of us happy. 🙂

My girls are usually pretty happy to assert their independence from their American Girl character prototypes, but occasionally they stick a bit closer to the script. Maribel Pollyanna feels a lot like Samantha to me, and so far she’s been happy to stay with Samantha’s Beforever wardrobe. I was very excited about the elegant pink travel coat, and she was excited about Samantha’s Flower Picking Set. Turns out it’s another one of those dresses that improves upon acquaintance (and the fabric tulips in the basket are pretty cute, too).

Some things are just meant to be.

First things first. This. Coat. Is. Adorable.

I love all those seams!

I love the cut, the collar, the construction, the color… I only wish those buttons were fabric, rather than plastic (ugh).

Look at that beautiful construction.

And the hat was a pleasant surprise. My dolls don’t usually stay in their hats long, but this one is going to be often worn.

Did anyone say Easter Parade?

It’s just so… yes! Well done, American Girl. The hat is bendy, too, not brittle, so I don’t have to be afraid of crushing it (and you can also play around a bit with the shape of the brim).

This girl is ready to go!

As pretty as Maribel looks in her coat and hat, I think she might look even sweeter in just the dress.

Betsy Ray, watch out!

The high modest neckline and three-quarter sleeves suit her, the lace is gorgeous, and the print is simple and sweet.

The V waistline is very attractive, and it’s cut from a berry-colored satin, which matches the pretty decorative bow.

Which in turn matches the hairbow. Wish they’d let me tie it on her hair myself, instead of sticking it to a scrunchy, though….

So pretty on her glossy waves.

The only thing I’m not thoroughly thrilled about, is the boots. They’re alright, I guess, but I wish they’d kept the real buttons from Samantha’s pre-retirement two-tone boots. I’m tired of Velcro on boots. I even prefer Rebecca’s and Marie-Grace’s/Cecile’s boots to this design.

Fake buttons. Oh well.

My girls are so pleased with these dresses… and when Maribel, Patience and Romola decide to share, their sisters will be eager to try them on too! Well done, American Girl! Spring is off to a good start. 🙂

With pear trees and daffodils blooming and Easter on its way, my girls have been begging me to share with you some new spring dresses that have made their way to A Doll’s Picnic from American Girl, The Dollies’ Dressmaker, and creative souls on Etsy. Spring seems to invite newness and change. The fact is, I’m often too occupied with collecting dolls to be able to fill out their wardrobes, so my girls are especially pleased with their fresh new fashions. First off this week, I’d like to share Roberta’s new frock from The Dollies’ Dressmaker:

The moment I saw this dress on her website, I knew it had to be in my collection. I love plaid, and I love square collars, and the moment I saw this dress I thought of the Anne of Green Gables films I watched growing up. Even though The Dollies’ Dressmaker made this as part of her Samantha collection, after holding it up to all my girls, it looked most stunning on Roberta, my new-used Molly doll from eBay. Roberta loves the soft grey-green-blue plaid, and the ruffly cream-colored collar as much as I do.

The difficult-to-define color of the light cotton fabric sets off her soft grey eyes, and the sprightly plaid fits her perkiness while hinting of her Scottish background. The collar adds contrast and softness as well as romance.

I can’t get over this exquisite collar! I love the square shape, which reminds me of nautical-style middy collars, and I adore the ruffles, which suit the simplicity and femininity of the dress design.

The dress closes neatly up the back with Velcro, which is not a problem for my girls.

The Dollies’ Dressmaker has been a favorite shop for doll fashions for my historical girls for years. Her dresses are all handmade by herself, and are tasteful and appropriate. The prices vary somewhat but I can often find something to fit my budget. Her work is always exquisitely neat and perfectly finished. Every time I’ve tried to make a dress of my own, I’ve gained a new appreciation for the neatness of her work–the squareness and straightness of her seam allowances and stitching, especially along the collars and back closures. This particular dress is my favorite purchase from her so far. It is simple, soft perfection, and comes to life on my Molly doll (though several of my other girls would also love to try it on!). I highly recommend her shop!